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In Aurélia Delsol's bathroom

A name with a sunny ring to it, a face that radiates serenity, and a unique method that encourages self-care. That’s how we could quickly sum up Aurélia Delsol. But in reality, this facialist—known for her approach to facial yoga—is so much more than that. With a deep and long-standing understanding of well-being, the founder of Face Soul Yoga is one of those experts with a liberating philosophy of beauty. Meet the woman who has mastered well-being like no one else…

Tell us all about yourself

“I’m the daughter of expats! Travel is in my blood. My life began in Morocco, Greece, and Cameroon. I love going on adventures, discovering new places, new cultures, and new landscapes. That’s how I grew up. I was lucky to have parents who encouraged me to pursue music (10 years of music theory and piano) and sports (15 years of horseback riding). I was also a model for ten years. That version of me learned very early on what it’s like to be looked at, judged, and reduced to an image. At the same time, I earned a dual master’s degree in communication and marketing: structure and strategy have always been part of who I am. I’ve always been more of an artist at heart, but I’ve always wanted a framework—otherwise, I can go off in all directions."

“In 2018, I co-founded Chez Simone, an apartment and lifestyle space in the heart of Paris built on the same pillars I still live by today: Eating Well, Staying Active, and Living Well. After a somewhat painful end to the partnership, I left to see if the grass was greener elsewhere in Australia. Spoiler: it’s not greener, but wilder—and that’s where, faced with health issues (chronic fatigue, acne, rosacea, inflammation, etc.), I created Face Soul Yoga. What was meant to be a facial yoga method has, over time, evolved into something much broader: fascia, the nervous system, posture, emotions—the face as the endpoint of an entire system. Everything is interconnected, and I’m convinced that by shifting the lines from within, everything changes on the outside. I’ve also written a book, published by Hachette two years ago, about my Face Soul Yoga method. In it, I share rituals and tips that have helped me transform my life and live it rather than merely endure it."

"I feel like I’ve lived many lives, like I want to change roles often. I believe a rich life is one in which you allow yourself to be bold, to take risks, to take unexpected turns, and to constantly reinvent yourself."

Have you always been interested in wellness?

“I think that ‘true’ self-care came late in my life. I’m talking about genuine kindness toward myself and my body—accepting it, rather than attacking it, fixing it, or trying to improve it. My parents always told me that we only have one body and that it’s important to take care of it. Despite that—or perhaps because of how I interpreted it—I’ve always been very hard on my body. I wanted to control it rather than care for it. But yoga, meditation, exercise, breathing… All these tools have allowed me to reconnect with this wonderful body, which carries me, allows me to feel, experience emotions, and pursue my dreams. So today, I no longer mistreat it; I listen to it, I learn with it—I’m very much in tune with my body. Our bodies speak to us all the time; the signals are there, and it’s important to listen to them. Today, I’m in this state of “well-being”—being kind to myself so that I can live my life to the fullest.”

What was the turning point that led you to train in yoga, facial yoga, and skincare?

“I discovered yoga fairly early on (since my aunt was a teacher), but it didn’t really click for me until I was in Bali in 2018. Beyond the practice itself, I met my mentor, an incredible woman—an Ayurvedic doctor and yoga teacher named Nicole—who shared so much wisdom, insight, and philosophy with me. I was going through a period of major changes in my life. I had just arrived in Australia after a major career setback, feeling disappointed and angry. Those three weeks of training helped me let go—or rather, to embrace what was happening. And things flowed quite smoothly from there. I wanted to go beyond yoga; my face was calling out to me. Once again, my body’s wisdom guided me toward acupressure, skin care, lymphatic drainage, and massage… and I discovered what true care is: listening, and touch that soothes, heals, and supports.”

How would you describe your method?

“Face Soul Yoga is not a facial exercise routine. For me, the face is a system: fascia, the vagus nerve, posture, breathing, emotional memory—everything is connected and interconnected.

The facial fascia contains more nerve endings than the muscle itself. It holds in tension what we haven’t processed. Working on the face without understanding this is like repainting the walls without looking at the cracks in the foundation. What sets this method apart is its scientific foundation: the polyvagal theory, the facial feedback hypothesis, and the way a relaxed jaw actually activates the vagus nerve. Botox paralyzes the corrugator muscle to reduce the distress signal sent to the amygdala. I achieve a comparable effect through relaxation—but in the opposite direction—by restoring movement and bringing life back.

“And that aligns with my philosophy because what the nervous system retains is expressed through the tissues. Taking care of your face, in this sense, is never superficial. It means taking care of what’s inside you and letting it show on the outside.”

In your practice, which area do you most often find reflects inner tension?

“What I can tell you with certainty is that the jaw plays a central role in everything I teach: jaw release, a relaxed jaw, and an active vagus nerve—the jaw that pulls on the neck, causes the shoulders to slump, and compresses the diaphragm. The jaw—the realm of the unsaid, of what we hold back, of what we dare not say out of fear or shame…”

How has your relationship with beauty and your skin changed since you founded Face Soul Yoga?

“My perspective has clearly shifted: I’ve moved away from the ‘glow’ and pure aesthetics toward depth and inner transformation—which ultimately shows on the face. I reject superficial beauty and hollow well-being. What I’m selling today isn’t a flawless complexion—it’s a face that tells a story, our story, not our neighbor’s; a face that’s alive, full of life, expressive, and connected.”

How do you take care of yourself on a daily basis? What would we find in your bathroom right now?

“I’m pretty minimalist, though I’m very curious about new products. Since my skin is very sensitive, I stick to what are called ‘clean’ products—fragrance-free, microplastic-free, and free of endocrine disruptors. I’m a big fan oftheOh My Cream SkincareMakeup Remover Oil, as well as theOden Makeup Remover Oil. I double-cleanse every night. It’s my pampering ritual—I massage, drain, and knead my skin every night. I always have my facial reflexology tool on hand to relax the muscles that have been overworked throughout the day. Then, a hydrating serum—a must—and right now the one fromOden, and the Plumping Creamfrom Oh My Cream Skincare. And every now and then, I apply a night mask, especially after summer when my skin has gotten a little (too much) sun despite the SPF. I have a Sentara Gua Sha for the body that I use after applying my body cream. I have a mist that I spray in my bedroom from time to time to create a soothing atmosphere, and I always have a candle burning—right now, it’s the Coton by Diptyque. I love creating a little ritual.”

What's the secret to your radiant glow?

“I really think my glow comes mostly from my smile! That said, I love massaging to stimulate the skin, its texture, and microcirculation with theNoisette Oiland a Reflexology Tool that really boosts the face’s energy. But I think it’s not necessarily the products or tools—it’s really the little phrases I repeat to myself every day, my movement, my posture…”

Face Soul Yoga advocates for “free and conscious” beauty, without any anti-aging pressure. How do you live out this philosophy?

“I spent ten years in an industry that thrives entirely on this pressure: being watched, being judged, and never being good enough. What I’m proposing today is almost the opposite: stop fighting against your face and start listening to it. A wrinkle isn’t a problem to be fixed; it’s information about what’s happening in the tissues and the nervous system. I wouldn’t say the pressure has disappeared: it still exists, even for me. But I navigate it with a tool I didn’t have before: I know how to read what my face is telling me, instead of simply wanting to change it.”

Beyond cosmetics, what are your wellness rituals?

“Yoga nidra, mindful movement, mindful eating, and regular work on the mind: affirmations, reprogramming the beliefs we hold without realizing it. I draw heavily on the polyvagal theory and the physiology of lymphatic drainage—not just as theory, but as a framework for understanding my own daily life. And there’s one principle that runs through it all: taking care of yourself with joy, never out of obligation.”

What's the best beauty or wellness tip you've ever been given?

“A few gentle pinches to bring a blush to your cheeks and a faint smile that turns into a real smile and changes the chemistry in your body.”

If you could keep only one gesture for the rest of your life?

“Relaxing the jaw is the key step that runs throughout my entire method, because a relaxed jaw signals to the vagus nerve that the body is safe. It all starts there.”

If there were one simple habit to incorporate into your routine that you'd like to recommend to our readers, what would it be?

“Evening facial drainage before bed: a few minutes to release the tension that has built up in your face throughout the day and set the stage for a restful night’s sleep. It’s simple, requires no equipment, and is one of the cornerstones of what I teach in my programs.”

What's on the horizon for Face Soul Yoga?

“Several projects underway at the same time. ‘Master the Method,’ my practitioner training program, is becoming the flagship offering: the goal is to build a true network of certified practitioners. It’s more than just a training program—it transforms the person who embarks on it. The experiences division continues to grow, with premium retreats in Menorca, Morocco, Mauritius, and Les Roches Rouges, and an increasingly international vision. And why not a space co-created with my partner centered on ‘the art of joyfully taking care of oneself’—a home for artists, connections, encounters, and sharing meals around large tables… life, in other words…”

Follow Aurélia Delsol on Instagram @facesoulyoga

To learn more about her method and wellness retreats, click here.

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